Switch for electrical systems



May *10, 1932. G. A. SALINAS 1,857,875

SWITCH FOR ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS Filed Nov. 17, 1928 NTO/f:

H M f daal/afd,

' B Y 9 55%.@ TTORNE Y.

Patented May 10, 1932 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFECE GUSTAVO A. SALINAS, F NEW YORK, N. Y., ASSIGNOR TO THOMAS BROOKS, 0F SCRANTON, PENNSYLVANIA SWITCH FOR ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS Application led November 17, 1928.

This invention relates to the art of switches, and particularly has reference to a switch adapted to control the translation of electrical current in a plurality of directions for the accomplishment of various functions.

My switch has many uses, and its controlling means enable it to direct the translation of electrical current so as to operate various devices. I have applied my switch for the purpose of operating directional signals for motor vehicles and to control the current utilizable for the purpose. The signals may be either mechanical or electrical, and, by

the utilization of my control means, such signals may be alternately operated or maintained indefinitely in an operative condition.

The control means of my switch is automatically held normally in a position such that the current cannot be passed or utilized; but, by shifting the control means in either one of two directions, the circuit is closed and the current is utilized in a predetermined manner. A slight pressure on the control or operating means in either direction will permit the translation of the current in that direction and, when the pressure is relieved, the control means will immediately return to the neutral or inoperative position.

In order that my invention may be clearly understood, I have provided drawings wherein:

Figure 1 is a sectional view taken in the plane of line 1 1, Figure 3; l

Figure 2 is a sectional view taken substantially at right-angles to Figure 1 and in the plane of line 2 2, Figure 3;

Figures 3, 4 and 5 are sectional plan views taken, respectively, on the line 3 3, 4 4 and 5 5 of VFigure 1, and looking in the direction of the arrows;

Figure 6Vis a fragmentary detail sectional view taken on line 6 6 of Figure 4;

Figure 7 is a bottom plan view of the controller or handle piece;

Figure 8 is an elevation of the actuating spring; and

Figure 9 is an elevational view of the switch assembled.

Referring to the drawings, the numeral 1 Serial No. 320,054.

form is particularly illustrated in Figure 6.

As all the contacts are alike, a description of one will suffice. An elongated block 10 has a hollow cylindrical member 11 snugly litting into one end of or formed integral with the block 10. This cylindrical member 11 holds a spring 12 which sustains and presses a ball 13 against the lower face of a controller or handle piece 14. A stud l5 is secured in the opposite end of the block 10,

and acts as a binding post with the nut 16 to secure a wire or lead (not shown) in place. Each block, with its associated parts, is made of brass or other suitable metal or conductor and is suitably held in place in the body member and arranged relatively to the other blocks as shown in Figures 3, et and 5. The body portion 1 is provided with two openings or depressions 17 havingl a wall 18 between them, the purpose of which will hereinafter be described, see Figures 2 and The handle piece 14 lies adjacent the upper face of the body member and preferably in contact therewith. This member is particularly shown in Figure 7, and comprises an annular portion 19 having a thumb piece 2O formed integral therewith. The thumb piece, as shown in Figures 1, 8 and 5, extends outside the circumference of the device so that it may be easily accessible for manipulation. The annular portion 19 has a circumferential pad 21 adapted to minimize the friction between it and the body member. An arcuate Contact strip 22, of brass or otheiI suitable conducting material, is cast with the controller. A central opening 23 is provide'd for the pivot; and other openings 24 with a bridge piece between them are provided for purposes hereinafter described.

The upper cover 2 has a cutout portion 2G,

5 particularly shown in Figures 1, 3 and 9, so

as to provide an opening for the operation of the handle 20. The edges of this opening provide stops limiting the movement of the handle in either direction. A shoulder 27 in the skirt of the top cover acts to properly position the handle and form an additional bearing for it. Extending downward from the top wall of the cover 2 is a boss 28 counter-bored for the reception of a screw-bolt 29, which holds the several parts together. The boss is turned down at its lower portion, and this part of smaller diameter fits into the central opening 23 of the handle piece or controller.

The lower cover 3 has a hollow extension 30 corresponding with the extension 6 of the body portion. These extensions lit one over the other and form a chamber 31 adapted to house excess wire from the binding posts 16, or in shipping the device the wires from the contacts may be coiled and housed in the chamber 31 to prevent them being harmed by moisture or otherwise. The lower cover has a boss 32 in which is cast a sleeve 33. This sleeve is preferably angular in outline, and is internally screw-threaded at 34. The screw 29 engages the threadsrin the upper part of the sleeve and whenthe screw is tightened the parts are all securely held together in an eX- oeedingly simple manner, as will be plain from an inspection of the drawings and the previous description of the parts. The squared extension of the vsleeve 33 may be utilized to secure the switch in position and a holding screw (not shown) may engage the lower threads when the device is positioned.

Means are provided for normally holding the controller 14 in the central or neutral position, as shown in Figure 9, and the same means are utilized when released automatically tromV the contacts 8 and. 9. In addition, the said means performs the function of pressing the controller 14 against the upper surface of the body member 1, so as to enable the controller to properly maintain its relative position and perform its necessary fuuctions. This means includes a spring 35 shown in its-details in Figure 8 and in its functional position in Figures 1 and 2. The spring 35 has two legs 36 and 37 which extend downwardly and pass through the slots 24 in the controller 14 and enter the pockets or depressions 17 in the upper surface of the body member 1, on opposite sides of the bridge piece or separating wall 18. As shown in Figure 8, the sgz-ring is in a position it would assumewhen removed from the enclosing switch casing. In assembling the parts, the J leg 36 is passed' through a sl-ot 24 in the controller and into one of the depressions 17 of the body member, and the spring is then slightly wound so that the other leg 37 passes through the other of the slots 24 and into the other of the depressions 17 on the opposite side of the bridge pieces 25 and 18, respectively, of the controller and body member. The bridge piece 25 of the controller is thus held between the two legs 36 and 37 of the spring and normally lies over the bridge piece 18 o the body member. As the Controller is turned to right or left, the bridge piece 25 moving one of the legs of the spring, will cause it to be put under further tension and, when the finger piece 20 of the controller is released, the spring will immediately return the controller to neutral position with its bridge piece 25 over the bridge piece 18 of the body member. The spring, being confined between the top of the cover and the controller, will act to press the latter against the body member and maintain its contact strip 22 in position such as to close the circuit and translate the current, regardless of the direction in which the controller is shifted, to cause said contact strip 22 to engage the contacts 13. Normally, the spring, as previously described, maintains the controller in the neutral position shown in Figure 9 with its contact strip 22 in engagement with the contact 13, as clearly shown in Figures 2 and 3, this being the position of non-translation of the current from its source.

In the switch the lead from contact 7 goes to the battery or source of power. It will be noted in the drawings that the contact strip 22- inthe handle piece is always in engagement with the contact 7. In the normal position, that is, with the handle in the center, asshown inFigure 9, the contact strip 22 Will not touch either of the contacts 8 or 9. The leads from these contacts go to the respective devices to which it is desired to supply current for a functional purpose. It will be obvious that, when the controller is turned to the right or the left, the contact strip 22 will then connect either of the contacts 8 or 9 depending upon which Way the controller is turned. When pressure is released, the thumb piece 20 will immediately return to its normal position under the control of the spring 35, and the circuit will be broken.

From the foregoing it will be seen that my switch consists of but four principal and very simple members, which are easily assembled, are strong, durable and not likely to be put out of condition. The structure and arrangement of the contact means are simple, durable, anti-trictional and quite eective; and the controller has little or no wear imposed upon it since its. pad 21 is anti-frictional and the contact with its strip 22 is also anti-frictional. The pressure of the spring 35 on the controller is not excessive; but, is ample to maintain the contacts sufficiently for functional purposes. As previously stated, the body member, its two cover members and the controller are formed of insulating material such as bakelite, while the contacts are of current translating material and the leads therefrom may, in consequence, be bare or uncovered. However, I prefer to cover the leads, or utilize covered leads, for obvious underwriting purposes. Said leads from the binding posts 15 may be coiled and disposed in the chamber 31 for packing and transportation purposes, a-nd apertures (not shown) through which the leads may be extended may be readily provided according to the location, particular disposition and use of the switch. These lead holes or apertures may readily be bored by the mechanic or purchaser.

The thumb piece 2O is easily manipulated; and the spring will be found to be effective not only for maintaining the controller with its thumb piece in neutral position, but for returning` the same to neutral position. The switch may be used to control one or more electric lights or series of lights, regardless of location or purpose; may be utilized to operate a directional signal for motor vehicles such as disclosed in an application Serial Number 314,028, filed October 22, 1928; and may be employed for translating current in various directions and for various purposes other than those indicated, as will be readily und-erstood by one skilled in the art. Obviously, contacts and leads may be employed in greater number than shown by me in the drawings, and the controller may have a wider range of movement in opposite directions from neutral position, according to the uses desired for my switch.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

l. A controlling switch consisting of a body part and a cover forming a chamber between them, a controller in said chamber, a spring in said chamber mounted on and connected to the controller for holding the latter in a neutral position and permitting the said contioller to shift in opposite directions.

2. A controlling switch composed of a cir cular body part; a circular cover therefor; a circular controller enclosed by the two parts and having a manipulating handle extending beyond the circumference of said parts; and a spring enclosed by the parts and mounted on and engaging the controller to maintain the latter in a normal position and enabling it to be shifted in two opposite circular directions.

3. A controlling switch consisting of a body member having means by which it may be secured to a predetermined fixture and having a plurality of electrical contacts; a controller mounted on said body member and adapted to be moved relatively thereto and having an elongated curved conducting strip adapted to interact with the said contacts; a casing enclosing the body member and controller and having means for holding the several parts together; and means enabling the controller to be shifted in opposite directions relatively tc the body and casing, normally held in neutral position, and automatically returned to neutral position.

et. A controlling switch consisting of four parts, two of which are cup-shaped and enclose the others, and all of which are made of insulating or current non-conducting material; means for combining said parts in cluding a centrally located bolt passing through three of the parts and into the other, and a spring imposing tension upon one of the parts in several angular directions enclosed within one of the cup-shaped parts; and contact means contained within the switch, whereby the activating effects of an electric current may be directed and contrclled for useful purposes.

5. A controller switch comprising a cupshaped body part, a cup-shaped cover therefor, and a controller enclosed by the body and cover, and a spring mounted on the controller and housed within the cover and conected to the controller for exerting pressure on the latter in different angular directions.

GUSTAVO A. SALINAS. 

